I was a former senior manager at KPMG and since 1994 the owner of the Marks Group PC, a 10 person customer relationship management consulting firm based outside Philadelphia. I've written six small-business management books, most recently "The Manufacturer's Book of List" and “In God We Trust, Everyone Else Pays Cash: Simple Lessons From Smart Business People.” Besides Forbes, I daily for The Washington Post and weekly for Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and the Huffington Post monthly for Philadelphia Magazine. I am an unpaid contributor to Forbes. I make no compensation from the number of people who read what I write here. Follow me on Google Plus, Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In.

Talk Really Can Be Cheap

If you’ve got a face like mine, the last thing you’d want to be doing is appearing on video. I am short. And bald. Guys that look like I do should be hiding behind emails and letters.

But new technology is forcing business owners like me to rethink this. Because video is becoming a significant part of our online experience. And a growing number of small businesses are using video to better service their customers and bring in new work. Like David Kale of Kale Design.

Blue Bell, PA based Kale Design creates “high end, high impact” graphics that their clients use in print, online and video. David is always looking for new ways for his clients, and his own firm, to stand out from the crowd and attract attention. His latest love? Technology. And his latest love affair is with a service called Talk Fusion.

Talk Fusion is in the video communication business. The company makes video conferencing, broadcasting and social networking products. David has been using its flagship video email service since last December. To this design and advertising expert, video email has a big “wow” factor.

Talk Fusion is simple. When David wants to send a video message to someone, he records it either on his built-in computer Web cam or on a Flip camera. Any video device is fine – the better the device, the better the video. He then opens up the Talk Fusion portal, browses to the saved video file, and uploads it.

From that same portal David can then create his video email. He can brand his own company’s graphics into the video. He can choose from a number of pre-made templates provided by the service. And he can include any text message that he wants. Once completed David has the option of sending the email to an individual or thousands of individuals in one go, depending on the service he buys. The videos are stored on Talk Fusion’s site and can be re-used. The company also provides hundreds of pre-made videos too (i.e. “Thanks for buying our product”) just in case you prefer not to make your own.

And the cost is extremely low. Talk Fusion’s basic service costs $175 one time and then $20 per month. For that price a user gets one account, storage for 1,000 emails and the ability to make videos lasting up to five minutes. For $375 you get all the same stuff, plus an additional four accounts, more template choices and customization features, more branding capabilities and the ability to make up to a 10 minute video. You can also increase your monthly fee if you want to accommodate more email accounts. For example storing 25,000 email addresses will cost $200 per month.

Here’s the unique thing: the video is built into the email. There’s no link where the user has to be redirected somewhere else. You get the email and you click on the embedded video. And it plays right there. Immediately.

“It’s another way to deliver your message to your audience,” David says. “Be it one person or a group of people.”

David uses Talk Fusion to review projects with clients. With video he can show logos and web pages his firm designed. He can send quick ideas to clients that come across with more meaning as compared to a written email. He sends short messages to those clients who prefer video. “I can produce these videos by myself and on the fly.” He says. “I don’t have to hire an outside firm or go through an expensive production process.”

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Great to know there are like-minded business professionals using this wonderful tool from Talk Fusion as myself. I’ve been using talk fusion for just a short time and I can tell you it’s far superior in appearance and ease of use. After all major companies such as Apple Bee’s restaurants, Norwegian Cruise lines, West Point Military Academy and a host of others also use Talk Fusion as customers.

I’ve used other products in the past, but Talk Fusion gives me additional accounts I can assign to my prospects, clients, etc.. to allow them to see how I’m able to market and brand myself. not to mention the price point for ALL of the service is a mere $20.00 a month. How can you go wrong? For those who like network marketing, yes, they have a one of a kind compensation system. It’s called “Instant Pay” you make a sale, you’re paid instantly on the debit card they provide for free.

I have been using Talk Fusion for several months, and it has definitely helped me expand my business and personal brand (to see how I use it on my blog, visit me at www.MaryLouKayser.com). I agree with Gene that this service is not designed for every person or business, but with video becoming the medium through which we communicate in the New Economy (there is a reason YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world), NOT using video can be a costly mistake. Talk Fusion is affordable, value-packed, and definitely worth considering. If you are interested in exploring what this service can do for you and your business, you can contact me directly @503-730-7786.

I’ve really enjoyed using Talk Fusion to send emails to business contacts as well as family members for special occasions. They have templates for practically everything you can think of! They even have templates in French, Spanish, and Chinese! It’s definitely a must have tool for business owners. If you’d like to see a sample, just go to http://bit.ly/TFVideoEmail

Seems like we’ve got a lot of Talk Fusion fans! Glad to hear you guys are getting milage out of the service, and how you’re using it. Would love to hear from anyone else about how they use Talk Fusion and whether or not it’s worked for their company.

Find it very disturbing how a respected magazine like Forbe’s allows product pitches for Talk Fusion which is clearly a multi-level marketing product with their very doubted sales techniques and sales rep recruitment campaigns.

Mark, even though your article was published some time back, yet the fact that Talk Fusion maintains its position as the leading provider of reliable online video tools (video email, live video conference, video newsletters, video auto responders), is very comforting for new comers such as myself into the industry.

In just a few months, at www.talkfusionarabia.com, we not only use the online video tools from Talk Fusion, but have also seen our associates make good earnings through the company’s referral program…It is a sure win win for all and is fantastic for brand building.

Yes they can … as his history has proven over and over again. However Talk Fusion — opposed to many other deals outhere — have been approved by DSA, DSEI en BBB. So it’s not just media hype, it’s a solid 5 year company that’s paying it’s affiliates INSTANTLY. You need a supersolid infrastructure and foundation in place to pull that of. Facts don’t lie.

@ Joakim: Products are meant to be sold. The word is spread by marketing. MLM aka word-of-mouth aka Direct Selling only works when the product is second to none (which is the case with Talk Fusion). Actually — and this is quite funny actually — Talk Fusion provides a set of cloud-based video & communications tools to promote any brand, person or business.

And MLM as an income source is publically being endorsed by Donald Trump, Robert Kyiosaki, Bill Clinton, Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy … old news. Last year there was also a special addendum about MLM / Direct Selling attached to the Wall Street Journal.

So although MLM used to be disturbing, it has actually come of age. And it’s great Forbes is endorsing Talk Fusion.

Hi,sir i did not reply what you say, but come to my owner business like:

ATTN: HON. BENEFICIARY.

FUND TRANSFER CONFIRMATION O.K FURTHER CREDIT ACCEPTED.

We have received your payment approval from our ordering Customer Service in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the further credit to your bank account with the total sum of USD$92.8 million dollars from the deck of the Governor (C B N)- ALAHAJI SANUSI LAMIDO.

With all due respect, our bank has obliged to credit your account with instruction. Quoting reference to First National bank transfer regulation and in line with British Financial and Allied Conduct, your account will be effected as soon as you reconcile our 1% Cost of Transfer or you may advise us to deduct the total value and transfer the balance to your account.

Should you be willing to accept deduction, our bank is therefore urging you to contact the authorized C B N Paying Officer Mrs.Rose Musa .of the International Remittance Dept. E-mail: rose.musa@gmx.com Please ask har to issue you the Original Hard Copy of the Authority to Deduct Bill of Exchange to enable us deduct the 1% cost of transfer. Be advised also that we only acknowledge the receipt of the ORIGINAL HARD COPY OF THE BILL OF EXCHANGE FORM, which must be duly filed and signed by the beneficiary before we can effect deduction.

Please be warned, as our bank does not trust any Nigerian Official except Mrs.Rose Musa whom we can give attention to in any of this instruction. Prior to our banking regulation, final credit shall be made to your account upon your instruction. Congratulations!

Yours faithfully, Mr. Kelvin Robert (Secretary) First National bank Plc

i did not reply what you say but to make you clear that, you have to contact the person in change for the transfer in to your Account ok. but you we help for sum fee on it like transfer fee. so you make sour that you we send it to my privet Address, (mr.kelvin_robert@yahoo.com)

As a Talk Fusion Video Communication Products User, you maintain an exclusive membership in the world’s premier, video-driven Internet community. These privileges include the opportunity to take full advantage of all that the Fusion Wall social networking community has to offer:

Amplify your influence in your market and your industry

Promotes your product and or service

Take us to places that move you

Share moments that leave you breathless

Learn how your colleagues and competitors use Talk Fusion

Celebrate Special Events

Set yourself above the rest

Express your opinion in videos and blog

Talk Fusion is affordable, value-packed, and definitely worth considering. If you are interested in exploring what this service can do for you and your business, you can see a sample at www.talkfusion/1278996

We can show you how to develop a brand that people instantly recognize, make your offers “IRRESISTIBLE” to your audience, and “ATTRACT” leads and sales daily… without spending a lot of money on advertising.

If you would like to learn how to dominate your competition, build a database of loyal raving customers, and make more money… you’ve come to the right place!

I work with small businesses to help them multiply their revenues. I believe that customers are the business. Anything that can help develope those relationships is of great value. I believe that this service can do just that. If you would like to help businesses grow and earn a great income in the process go to www.talkfusion.com/1789186 or call(804)305-1975 Mark Hamlin

I love talk fusion. We are using it to grow our consulting business! We use it to retain our customers as well as communicate with prospects! If a picture is worth a thousand words, then VIDEO is worth a million!

Dear Commenter10, you sure should wonder why Forbes( and not only) supports the Network Marketing Business Model…:-) …and doing some more research to understand why it is NOT a scam! Have a wonderful day Mona from Italy

Video email marketing and conferencing… Get results and grow your business! Our state of the art, easy to use video email and conferencing won the 2011 Better Business Bureau’s Award for Excellence in the Business Technology and Services category. WowWe’s services are fully integrated with your social networks including YouTube and Facebook and can be used by both Windows and Mac users…with no software to download.

When communicating and connecting with your audience is important to your organization, WowWe provides the tools you need to deliver your message in one easy-to-use package. WowWe’s tools for communication are, hands down, the most flexible, cost-effective on the market. All of this for $20 per month.

Hi Gene, I love your article and can only agree! As I see in some comments, there is a really big need of education to Marketing…:-) Your article opened a Battlefield for desperate Networkmarketers trying to use your space to publish their Businesses. Looking forward to read more from you.

I love this article. Talk Fusion is a winner and I am so excited that this is breaking in the media. This product is the leader in the industry. I have been using this product for a year and its power still amazes me and the new iphone application is truly one of a kind.

Игорь Владимирович, did you see publication date of this post 11/10/2010 @ 6:14AM, and now 2012? Marketing plan and package pricing changed from 2010.

About Talk Fusion company and Video communication products, I think so:

Talk Fusion company is the industry leader in terms of growth (Alexa, + internal statistics).

The basis of products is a video email marketing, which provides a powerful result for the business. The presence of the product line as an entire operating system allows both small and large businesses find a unique solution to communication problems. Talk Fusion products allow you to build an unprecedented trusting relationship with customer base.

Affiliate program compares favorably with its simplicity and time of unprecedented profitability.

I believe that the beginning of the commitment made by will at the undoubted success and leadership in the industry video-communication technology and the direct sales industry.

the Internet is a place where everything happens fast. And Talk Fusion offers its programmes for money. There are many other programmers who can do the same thing and release it for free usage.. I consider so. Who thinks the same?

I am from Africa also have every big business that i doing to make sum people rich who ever is rich will be came a richest in the world. i am working on have a bank here. the Name of the bank is first bank national pl c. now the usd$92.8 million Dollar is ready to transfer looking for a good person can handle the fund for is Account. here is my Email Address (mr.kelvin_robert@yahoo.com) the owner of the fund have sum problem the i we like to remove it to my bank and transfer it truth person Account. so need unguent reply. Thank’s Mr,kelvin robert

We have received your payment approval from our ordering Customer Service in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the further credit to your bank account with the total sum of usd$92.8 million dollars from the deck of the Governor (C B N)- ALAHAJI SANUSI LAMIDO.

With all due respect, our bank has obliged to credit your account with instruction. Quoting reference to First National bank transfer regulation and in line with British Financial and Allied Conduct, your account will be effected as soon as you reconcile our 1% Cost of Transfer or you may advise us to deduct the total value and transfer the balance to your account.

Should you be willing to accept deduction, our bank is therefore urging you to contact the authorized C B N Paying Officer Mrs.Rose Musa .of the International Remittance Dept. E-mail: rose.musa@gmx.com Please ask har to issue you the Original Hard Copy of the Authority to Deduct Bill of Exchange to enable us deduct the 1% cost of transfer. Be advised also that we only acknowledge the receipt of the ORIGINAL HARD COPY OF THE BILL OF EXCHANGE FORM, which must be duly filed and signed by the beneficiary before we can effect deduction.

Please be warned, as our bank does not trust any Nigerian Official except Mrs.Rose Musa whom we can give attention to in any of this instruction. Prior to our banking regulation, final credit shall be made to your account upon your instruction. Congratulations! So reply with this mail:

(mr.kelvinrobert351@yahoo.co.uk)

Yours faithfully, Mr. Kelvin Robert (Secretary) First National bank Plc

Yes, I am also very happy with all the facilities that exist in Talk Fusion. It’s like a passion that comes back from the dead. Although I left by my old company, I am grateful the Lord has provided a wonderful opportunity to start a business Video Communication’s with friends in Indonesia. And not in thought during the early opening for the program in Indonesia, it’s like a food dish eaten until exhausted. Thanks to Bob Reina and suport team TALK FUSION, Forbes New, all of you are our inspiration in Indonesia. GOD BLESSED YOU. From: Royce (Indonesia – www.RoyceTalkFusion.Com)

Yes, I am also very happy with all the facilities that exist in Talk Fusion. It’s like a passion that comes back from the dead. Although I left by my old company, I am grateful the Lord has provided a wonderful opportunity to start a business Video Communication’s with friends in Indonesia. And not in thought during the early opening for the program in Indonesia, it’s like a food dish eaten until exhausted. Thanks to Bob Reina and suport team TALK FUSION, Forbes New, all of you are our inspiration in Indonesia. GOD BLESSED YOU. From: Royce (Indonesia – www.RoyceTalkFusion.Com)

Thank Gene for the info… Talk fusion is a great business..i never seen before I love to use video email and video newsletter..very easy to create and my friend say ” imagine”. Anyone want to join talk fusion, could go to www jointalkfusion.com/1384257 Thank and goodluck